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Johannesburg - A survey by an insurer has shown that 96% of South African children wish their parents took fewer risks on the road.

Santam's safety survey found that 60% of children did not believe that adults followed the rules they had taught them.

"The... survey showed that South African parents are doing a sterling job of teaching their children household, road and general safety, but the fact that so many parents don't stick to their own rules is creating a nation of scared, confused and powerless children," the short-term insurer said in a statement.

"And with children far more likely to mirror behaviour than follow rules, it seems likely that risk-taking will be transferred to future generations."

They survey polled 1 000 children aged between seven and 12 in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban on safety and what they had learnt about risk taking from adults around them.

It was found that breaking the rules of the road was considered the most dangerous behaviour by adults and created high levels of anxiety and fear in children.

Talking on the phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and speeding were top road behaviours children wished their parents did less of.

According to the survey Johannesburg-based children were more aware of safety rules than those in Cape Town and Durban.

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